After inheriting a deteriorating war from his predecessor, I applaud President Obama for taking the time to consult carefully with his generals, diplomats, national security team, and numerous others to form a complete picture of the situation in Afghanistan.  Now that the President has articulated to the American people his vision for success in Afghanistan, Congress must evaluate this strategy, to test its coherence and to raise the questions that will examine the assumptions on which it is based. We cannot shirk our responsibility to ask the tough questions; the stakes are simply too high.  Thus far, I have chaired two hearings of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and heard testimony from Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Michael Mullen, General Stanley McChrystal, and Ambassador Karl Eikenberry detailing the President’s Afghanistan strategy.  I look forward to holding additional hearings on this subject to ensure that Congress and the people we represent are given ample opportunity to deliberate whether this strategy is the best course of action.  To view webcasts of these hearings, read my opening remarks, and read our witnesses’ testimony, please visit the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

U.S. Strategy in Afghanistan – PART I (December 2, 2009)
Testimony:
•    The Honorable Howard L. Berman
•    The Honorable Hillary Rodham Clinton
•    The Honorable Robert M. Gates
•    Admiral Michael G. Mullen, USN

U.S. Strategy in Afghanistan – PART II (December 10, 2009)
Testimony:
•    The Honorable Howard L. Berman
•    The Honorable Karl W. Eikenberry
•    General Stanley A. McChrystal